Plugs that Suck - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Just n time · 10-14-2010, 05:32 AM

What are the worst plugs you have and would never buy again??? I plan to restock this off season and was curious as to what my fishing bros would stay away from..

UserRemoved1 · 10-14-2010, 05:45 AM

MINE

Hey at least I said it before someone else did LOL

The Dad Fisherman · 10-14-2010, 06:05 AM

Only plugs that suck are the ones that come in Sideways.....other than that, its up to the angler to make them magical

victank · 10-14-2010, 06:26 AM

No bad plugs just bad colors and bad technicians behind the action...LOL:

fishsmith · 10-14-2010, 06:31 AM

mass produced plugs made by 'Storm', I got one as a gift and when I tested a knot on it the eye pulled out.

Rmarsh · 10-14-2010, 06:32 AM

Rmarsh · 10-14-2010, 06:43 AM

I have been disapointed with lures that have hooks that will marry or get hung up on each other on the cast. A certain custom wood plug I bought does this and it sucks.
Had the belly hook swivel snap off of a another companies needlefish on two consecutive nights. Two different needlefish same company.
I don't want to mention names here.

bloocrab · 10-14-2010, 06:48 AM

Lotta plug builders and plug builder's friends on here.......this could turn into a nasty thread.

.....

The worst plug out there is.......... the eel.

THERE!!! I SAID IT!!...

SAUERKRAUT · 10-16-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rmarsh

I have been disapointed with lures that have hooks that will marry or get hung up on each other on the cast. A certain custom wood plug I bought does this and it sucks.
Had the belly hook swivel snap off of a another companies needlefish on two consecutive nights. Two different needlefish same company.
I don't want to mention names here.

If you don't mention the needlefish in order to preserve PC-ness, then I will: Rhode Island Lures Cape Cod Cruiser needlefish.

Gobi · 10-17-2010, 03:55 PM

Agree with you. They are absolute CRAP. (The one I'm referring to specifically was bought because they were priced right, or so I thought at the time. I figured RI company, cool. Well, then someone told me this particular plug is just a knock off made in China that uses a local name. I'm clarifying just so there's no confusion with any genuine RI lure maker. Kapish?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAUERKRAUT

If you don't mention the needlefish in order to preserve PC-ness, then I will: Rhode Island Lures Cape Cod Cruiser needlefish.

UserRemoved1 · 10-14-2010, 06:54 AM

If there's a problem people want to hear it. How else can you make a better widget.

Doesn't have to be nasty.

saltydog · 10-14-2010, 07:24 AM

Heres one. it swam great. nice color. BUT after 1.day in the water SPLIT

GOOD LUCK GOOD PLUGGIN

ecduzitgood · 10-14-2010, 07:25 AM

I won't buy gags because the paint fails too soon, I like his plugs but they don't appear to be sealed so water penetrates them and the wood swells and the paint flakes off after the first trip.

SurfCaster413 · 10-14-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecduzitgood

I won't buy gags because the paint fails too soon, I like his plugs but they don't appear to be sealed so water penetrates them and the wood swells and the paint flakes off after the first trip.

GAGS SUCK i do like the mambo's

tysdad115 · 10-14-2010, 07:26 AM

My plugs say it's me that sucks! How can they do their job if I don't put them any where near fish? They want to unionize and vote me out...Wait is it normal to argue with plugs? I think I may have some other issues...

bart · 10-14-2010, 07:53 AM

mambo minnows. they go by a different name now as Gags was bought out (i think), but the old ones and the new seem to have an issue where the back trebel rips through the plugs after one or two fish. I have about 6 of the old ones and one brand new one that have been rendered unfishable after minimal use. they do catch though...

RIJIMMY · 10-14-2010, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bart

mambo minnows. they go by a different name now as Gags was bought out (i think), but the old ones and the new seem to have an issue where the back trebel rips through the plugs after one or two fish. I have about 6 of the old ones and one brand new one that have been rendered unfishable after minimal use. they do catch though...

black mambos are my favorite plugs, glad I have bags full from a few years ago!

Typhoon · 10-14-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bart

mambo minnows. they go by a different name now as Gags was bought out (i think), but the old ones and the new seem to have an issue where the back trebel rips through the plugs after one or two fish. I have about 6 of the old ones and one brand new one that have been rendered unfishable after minimal use. they do catch though...

Those mambos are a tuna killer.

JohnnyD · 10-14-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bart

mambo minnows. they go by a different name now as Gags was bought out (i think), but the old ones and the new seem to have an issue where the back trebel rips through the plugs after one or two fish. I have about 6 of the old ones and one brand new one that have been rendered unfishable after minimal use. they do catch though...

Hmmm... what do you set your drag at?

I've landed multiple 40 inch fish on a single mambo and never had the rear treble pull - granted I have had to bend back or replace the hooks on that plug a couple times. I know some people that the back hook pulls out on a lot, and others (like myself) that it's never happened to.

Braided lines, extra strong swivels, 3x hooks, heavy drag... eventually, something has to give.

lurch · 10-14-2010, 08:01 AM

All non broken plugs will catch fish but some last longer than others.

The problem I have is the price of the plugs.

Plug prices have increased to a point where most people cannot afford them.

Back Beach · 10-14-2010, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurch

Plug prices have increased to a point where most people cannot afford them.

I tried to circumvent this phenomenon by building my own, but drove my cost per lure up exponentially...still not sure what happened...anyone need a $500 danny?

Fishoholic · 10-14-2010, 10:00 AM

not really a fan of tsunmai wood. I was given some to try and swimmers were crap. PP's caught and held up fairly well. Stay away from the swimmers. I like their plastics though.

redlite · 10-14-2010, 10:08 AM

Over the years, I have run out and bought many of the "MUST have" lures, and didn't catch diddly on them.- Wouldn't use/ buy:
Sad to say, but pretty much any style plug by Gibbs. They just don't hold up and most cast like crap. Paint wears off all the time just from the trebles rubbing.
And Back Beach lures- even though price is right, they cast pretty good, look ok, but don't catch diddly.
A lot of Yozuris.- hooks suck

Like:
M&D's canal pencils
Habs needles
Sebile stick shads (even though they cost way too much and you gotta change split rings out from the get go.)
Eels.

But I very, very rarely even carry plugs, never mind use........

JackK · 10-14-2010, 10:08 AM

Beachmasters.

Just kidding... Like TDF said, it's not necessarily the plug, but how the angler is using it. Each plug can be fished differently, and it's up to you to determine the most effective retrieve... and that can change with tide, time of day, spot, etc etc.

Some custom wood just doesn't swim right though- inherent flaw with wood, some just don't work. I have a few BM dannys that are garbage, roll out in use, and sit on my wall. But I have a couple that produce a nice wiggle however slow I swim them... Those are constantly in the bag.

My opinion for the most overrated? Sebile magic swimmers. I know some people have crushed on them, I just haven't had a single fish on one, and not for lack of trying. I really need to pick up a few stick shads though.

JohnnySaxatilis · 10-14-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishoholic

not really a fan of tsunmai wood. I was given some to try and swimmers were crap. PP's caught and held up fairly well. Stay away from the swimmers. I like their plastics though.

tsunami wood jointed eels ive done well with this year, not taking anything big, but consistently catching on them. solid paint job i think, and quality hardware.... triple splits etc.. no jointed wood casts worth a damn however

afterhours · 10-15-2010, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnySaxatilis

no jointed wood casts worth a damn however

i beg to disagree- you just have'nt cast the right ones yet

.

Fishoholic · 10-15-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnySaxatilis

tsunami wood jointed eels ive done well with this year, not taking anything big, but consistently catching on them. solid paint job i think, and quality hardware.... triple splits etc.. no jointed wood casts worth a damn however

I didn't try any of those, but all of the "round & flat nose swimmers" either had a funky action off the bat or after a few cast the lip became loose and would slide right or left. Also had a siwash fall off for no reason. No argument on the paint or finish. Just don't eat those paint chips if (or when) it flakes off!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterhours

i beg to disagree- you just have'nt cast the right ones yet

.

Very true Don!

BigFish · 10-15-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnySaxatilis

tsunami wood jointed eels ive done well with this year, not taking anything big, but consistently catching on them. solid paint job i think, and quality hardware.... triple splits etc.. no jointed wood casts worth a damn however

I have to echo Don's sentiment!

Just n time · 10-14-2010, 10:14 AM

So much good info, with the price of plugs these days I really appreciate the help. I just don't want to buy something and have it break or foul hook or malfunction after a few trips. IMHO the old Rapala's really are over rated. They are really too expensive and cast like rubbish. Oh, Salty bugger your plugs are AWESOME!!The only thing I would say about some of the plug makers and their products is I would like to see some kind of a deal once in a while such as buy 3 needles get the fourth one free or a Christmas special or season starter special or something like that.It would encourage me to buy more product if I had a reason to.Keep the info coming and many thanks....

Vogt · 10-14-2010, 11:46 AM

I hate all of the newer Gibbs. If you can find their vintage stuff its great, but most of their current production runs suck IMHO. Very inconsistant.

Also, any Gags wood is garbage IMO. The paint falls off very very quickly and the wood splits right away.

You can purchase plugs from major builders like: BM, Habs, Tattoo, Salty, Bigfish
and be assured that the product will work properly. If you do happen to get a dud (which does happen) these guys will make it right for you. A couple years ago I had a Tattoo darter that didnt work right. I sent Mike an email and had a new darter within days. Top notch builders=top notch plugs and customer service.